backtrack

verb

back·​track ˈbak-ˌtrak 

backtracked; backtracking; backtracks

intransitive verb

1

a

: to retrace one's course

b

: to go back to an earlier point in a sequence

2

: to reverse a position

Examples of backtrack in a Sentence

The hikers realized they had made a wrong turn and would have to backtrack.

Let me backtrack for a moment and pick up our previous conversation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The administration backtracked last week after firing scores of employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration, which maintains the U.S. nuclear arsenal. —Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025

Since December 7, Mars has backtracked through Leo and then returned to Cancer on January 6. —Colin Bedell, Them, 13 Feb. 2025

Several of Trump’s backtracking E.O.s are focussed on expediting permits for oil-and-gas drilling on federal lands. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2025

Not only that, but one student's absence can affect the achievement of their peers, too, with teachers being forced to spend more time backtracking and repeating instruction. —Cory Turner, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for backtrack

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

backtrack

verb

back·​track ˈbak-ˌtrak 

1

: to go back over a course or path

2

: to reverse a position or stand